Coats for Kids continues to meet need

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Putnam County Youth Development Commission (PCYDC), we would like to thank the many individuals, businesses, organizations and the Putnam County school communities that contributed to the success of our 19th annual campaign. Thanks to your wonderful generosity over 400 coats, jackets, sweatshirts, hats, gloves and scarves were distributed on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Harris Hall at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Words cannot express our genuine appreciation for your donations and how you’ve helped prepare our children and families for the cold and wintry months ahead.

Thank you to all our partners that continue to be a part of this outreach each year: Kappa Delta Phi Sorority for dedicating their time and energy in decorating our “yellow boxes;” Ray’s Trash Service for donating the boxes used at all the following collection sites: Old National Bank, Kroger, Jack’s Trash, Teachers Credit Union, PC Library, PC Hospital, Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue Extension Office, Heritage Lake (Marianne Novak), Greencastle City Hall and all four county school corporations.

A big thank you to the Extension Homemakers Clubs for facilitating the use of Harris Hall; to DePauw University Printing Services for printing flyers and to Ami Pennington, Bob Russell and Josh Miller, and staff of Ascena Retail Group who annually provide coat racks.

To our new partners for 2018: Keith Hartzell and staff of the Putnamville Correctional Facility for washing, folding and delivering all inventory, Rachel Davies and staff of KBSO Consulting from Carmel, for their generous donations of new or gently used coats, hats and gloves. Sam Fry, manager of Co-Alliance in Bainbridge, and staff provided to help transport our inventory to the Putnamville Correctional Facility.

To those who financially support our efforts, United Way of Putnam County, Kelly and John Robertson, PC Extension Homemakers Clubs, Homemakers Anonymous and Mr. and Mrs. Randy Bee.

Congratulations to our schools and their commitment to collecting the most coats, hats and gloves in many years. North Putnam Community Schools collected the most coats and the South Putnam Community Schools collected the most items overall (coats, hats, gloves, sweatshirts and lightweight jackets).

To our wonderful volunteers, your service is always appreciated: Dana Tennis, Jamie Mourey, Kelly and Megan Robertson, Jessica Briones, Allison Creekmore-Long, Bob Tomaw, Jaxon Parmley, Andrew Fajt, Paula, Grace and Katie Fry, Ava McHugh, Kinzee Wilson, Gayle Baugh, Olivia Schneider, Bill Merkel and Anna and Patti Harmless.

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and prosperous start to 2019. On behalf of the children of Putnam County, thank you.

Linda Merkel

Putnam County Youth

Development Commission

Coats for Kids Annual

Campaign